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With the large number of storms
during 2004 and 2005 there were many lessons learned regarding preparing for
a hurricane. The St. Petersburg Times has put together the following index to their excellent articles
on the secrets of preparing.
Heed the lessons of history The writers at the St.
Petersburg Times remind
us that storms may veer from the neat track on the map, in-land is not
necessarily a safe place to evacuate and that what happens after the storm
may be worse than the storm itself.
If you can stay home – if you are outside an
evacuation area and do not live in manufactured housing –stay home if you
can.
If you must evacuate - be informed. Stay tuned to local radio and television stations
for emergency broadcasts.
Tips can help prepare your home - The Institute for Business and
Home Safety in Tampa offers a checklist of things
homeowners can do in the off-season to make their homes more
hurricane-worthy.
The cost of keeping covered - Homeowners have a number of choices to protect their windows
in a storm. The prices are as varied as the products.
The skinny on shutters - The time to think about window protection is now, not when a
storm is bearing down. Figure out what's right for you.
Get the proper hardware for plywood protection - if you choose plywood to protect
your windows, here's how to attach it properly.
Tie mobile homes down - since 1995 building standards were imposed, factory-built
homes can withstand very strong winds. But if the foundation and the tie-down
and anchoring system are not intact or up to today's safety standards, you
could be in for trouble.
Forget the mythology - save yourself a bit of useless work
next time a hurricane threatens: A lot of battening-down wisdom is nothing
more than wishful thinking.
Now's the time to shore up insurance - before hurricane warnings fly,
find out what storm damages your home insurance covers and whether you need
to add more protection.
Aftereffects of storms can buffet small businesses - problems can reach well beyond
storm damage.
Start recovery before the storm - hurricane season has a way of
bringing into sharp focus what's really important in life: ice and air
conditioning.
Contract can be helpful in rebuilding - the Florida Home Builders
Association has posted on its Web site a model residential rebuilding
contract, designed to help homeowners who sustain hurricane damage avoid
unscrupulous contractors.
Ill winds for homeowners - two years of devastating storms have forced more Floridians to
get their homeowner's insurance from the state-run Citizens Property
Insurance Corp.
Take steps to protect swimming pool - how should I prepare my pool for
a hurricane?
Ensure that pets weather the storm - they depend upon our care, and planning for their safety before the storm
strikes and after it has passed is a pet owner's responsibility.
Crisis may keep caregiver away - if you or a relative depend on outside assistance in the
home, make a plan now in case that aid is interrupted.
Older adults should prepare for care - the extra stress and anxiety from
a hurricane can create additional health problems for the elderly, especially
those who need help from a caregiver.
Special-needs shelters should be last resort - the shelters offer basic
monitoring. A private home usually is a more comfortable option.
How to cope when nature calls - power outages or sewer line problems may require us to
fashion our own portable potties.
Keeping your boat afloat - take precautions and strengthen your boat's moorings before a
storm.
Keep vehicle prepared for a safe getaway - a well-maintained and
well-stocked car could be the difference between life and death if a major
hurricane strikes.
Routine maintenance helps trees stand up to winds - your home landscape is more
likely to survive a major storm if trees and shrubs are healthy and properly
cared for throughout the year.
Documents determine damaged condos' fate - what happens if a condominium is
destroyed?
How vulnerable is your garage door? - It's a favored wind target and,
depending on its age, you may want to think about reinforcing it and its
hardware; or, better yet, investing in a new door.
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